Gas-regulator



Patented July 6, 1886.

GAS REGULATOR.

W. C. ROSSNEY.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM O. ROSSNEY, OF HYDE PARK, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES A. SHAV,

OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

eas-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming p/art. of Letters Patent No. 344,989, dated July 6, 1886.

Application filed March 9, 1885. Serial No. 159,226. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. RossNEY, of Hyde Park, in the county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Gas-Regulators, of which the following is a description, sufii` ciently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in whicl1- Figure l is avertical section of my improved gas-regulator, some of the parts being shown in elevation, and Fig. 2,a diagram showing a modification of the valve.

Like letters ofrefercnce indicate correspond ing parts in the different figures of thc drawings.

My invention relates to that class of gasregulators which are operated automatically by the pressure of the gas; and it consists in a novel construction, combination, and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed, by which a more effective device of this character is produced than is now in ordinary use.

It is well known that in nearly all gas-regu` lators provided with valves which are opened and closed by the pressure of the gas in such a manner as to automatically control the supply delivered to the burners much difficulty is experienced from the clogging of said valves by gas-tar, or by the carbonaceous deposits from the gas, while others are so constructed as to be less sensitive in their operations than is necessary to produce the best results.

My invention is designed to obviate these difliculties or objections; and to that end I make use of means which will be readily nnderstood by all conversant with such matters from the following explanation.

In the drawings, A represents the body of the regulator, B the gas-holder, C the cylinder, and D the base, these parts being preferably composed of cast-iron, and the base properly constituting a part of the body.

The body A is cylindrical in form, but may be made of any other suitable shape, and should be about six inches in diameter and eight in height in a regulator for use with a one-inch induction-pipe.

A cover, P, is Iitted to the top of the body A in such a manner as to permit the air to pass into the chamber aboverthe holder B. Projecting horizontally and inwardly from the walls of the body A, about two inches from the base D, there is an annular ila'nge, z, on which is erected a cylinder, O, concentric with said body and open at either end, the body A, flange z, and cylinder O being preferably cast integral, or in one piece, and when not so formed they are united by gas-tight joints. The base D is also united to the body A by a gas-tight joint,and provided on its upper side, within said body, with a vertically-arranged cylindrical hub or projection, G, which is preferably cast integral with the base, and when not so east it is united thereto by a gastight joint. An annular chamber, x, open at its top, is formed in said hub, which is also provided with a vertical opening or passage, H, extending centrally through it from top to bottom. A downwardlyclosing cup-valve, I, is disposed in the chamber x, said valve being j ointed or connected at K to a connterbalancing-lever, M, which is provided with a movable counterbalance or weight, N. A vertically-arranged standard or fulcrum, L, provided with aseries ofholes, t', is secured to the upper side of the base D, within the body A, by the screws R, said fulcrum being made laterally adjustable thereon by said screws and the holes o.

The lever M is provided with a series of holes, f, and is pivoted, by means of a pin or fulcrum proper, b, in the upper portion of the standard L, between the weight N and joint I K, being made vertically adjustable in said standard by the holes t' and said pin. A rod, J, having its lower end detachably jointed to the lever M, between the fulcrum or standard L and weight N, is connected, by means of the locknuts Zy,with the top of the gas-holder B, at or near its center, said rod being preferably secured in the top of the holder in such a manner as to` be adjusted vertically therein, and yet so packed as to form a gas-tight joint therewith. The rod is elongated at its upper end, and passes loosely through the cover P, th'ns enabling the long arm of the lever M to IOO be depressed by pushing said rod down, and the valve I opened to permit a free flow of gas through the regulator, if at any time the same should be required.

An induction pipe, E, opens upwardly through the base D beneath the hub G into the passage H, and there is also an inductionpipe, F, opening downwardly through said base. The latter pipe may, however, lead outwardly through the side of the body A at any point below the ilange z, if preferred, instead of through the base, as shown.

An annular chamber, m, is forlned between the cylinder C and walls of the body A, the top of said chamber being open. A quantity of some suitable liquid, r, preferably quicksilver or mercury, is placed in the chamber m for packing the holder B, the lower edge of said holder being immersed in said li quid when the holder is in use. A small quantity of quicksilver or mercury, t, is also placed in the chamber x of the hul) G, to form a liquid seat for the valve I, the lower edge of said valve being immersed in the quieksilvcr when the valve is closed.

All of the operative part-s above mentioned are inelosed within the body A, whereby they are protected from interference by domestics or ehildren,who mightlmeddle with the .regulator and interrupt its successful operation.

In the use of my improvement the gas islet into the regulator through'the induction-pipe E and opening H, passing into the valve I, and thence downwardly under said valve into the chamber x, from which it next enters the body ofthe regulator and holder B, and thence passes out through the educt-ion-pi pe F. The gas having been let into the regulator, as described, if new any undue pressure is caused therein-as, lfor instance, by turning down a portion of the lights-the gas-holderB will be raised, thereby drawing upv the rod J, depressing the valve I, and shutting off the supply of gas to the pipe F, in a manner which will be readily obvious to all conversant with such matters without a more explicit description. It will also be obvious that whenever the pressure of the gas isdecrcased in thepi pe F-as, for instance, by turning on more lightsthe holder B will fall correspondingly, thereby raising the valve I, and increasing thetlow of gas through the regulator.

The lever M and fulcrum L should be so adjusted with respect to the holder B and valve I that said valve will be closed, or its lower edge immersed in the quicksilver t, when the lights are all turned oil' or the pipe F closed.

The form and arrangement of the cup-valve I is such that it prevents the gathering of gastar to interfere with its proper working; but should a slight quantity of tar at any time be deposited on its lower edge it will be removed by the quicksilver when the valve is immersed, as described, and blown against the outer walls of the chamber a: by the inilowing gas when thevalveisraised. Itisimmaterial, however, whether t-he tar is removed from the lower edge of the valve by the qnicksilver or not, as it will be obvious that it will not cause it to stick to its liquid seat, and hence the working of the valve would not be interfered with thereby. Moreover, if the tar should gather at the edge of the valve in considerable quantities, and thereby partially close the space between the valve and the quicksilver, it would not affect the proper working of the regulator, as the pressure ou the holder B would thereby be reduced and the valve opened correspondingly.

As the inflowing gas is discharged directly into the cup of the valve I, the force of the gas is utilized in assisting to raise said valve, thereby enabling the parts with which the valve is connected to be so adjusted as to render the regulator much more sensitive than it would otherwise be.4

Ofcourse,it will be understood that the valve is tobe so adjusted that it will open sufiicientl y to su pply the smallest number of burners which maybe used when the gas is let on, and be closed when all of the lights are turned out.

Instead of the valve I, with its liquid seat, as hereinbefore described, Isometimes employ a valve constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 2, which -will answer the purpose very well, more especially with large pipes and gasmains.

In Fig. 2 the valve l is hemispherical and suspended to the lever M, said lever being supported by afulcrum, L, and provided with a movable counter-balance, N, as in Fig. 1.

The pipe E is elongated and passes through the base D, its upper end, a, being beveled to form a knife-edge seat for the valve, and thereby prevent the valve from sticking to it readily, should gas-tar be deposited thereon.

The top d of the valve I (see Fig. l) is' formed thicker than its sides,to give said valve suliicient weight to counterbalauce in part the weight of the holder B, t-hus enabling said holder to be made of heavier materials than would otherwise be practicable.

The weight N is merely auxiliaryiu its function; but it enables the valve to be balanced or adjusted with much greater nicety than would perhaps be possible without its use.

The object of making the fulcrum of the lever M adj uslable vertically is to regulate to a certain extent the vertical movements of the valve I; and the` object in making said fulcrum adjustable laterally is to enable said valve to be properly eounterbalanced.

I do not conne myself to constructing the base D and body A separately, as they may be cast integral, or in lone piece, it' desired. Neither do I confine myself to lthe use of a movable weight, N, on the lever M, as said lever may be so constructed as to act as a counter-balance to the valve; nor to the use of the standard L as a fulcrum for the lever M, as any suitable fulerum may be employed; nor to elongating the rod .I to pass through the cover P, as said rod may terminate at the top of the holder B, with which it is connected,

and an additional rod be employed above said top; nor to making the fulcrum for the lever M adjustable, as the movable Weight N,whcn

used, obviates to a great extent the necessity of such adjustability, nor to Weighting the lever M when its fulcrum is made adjustable, as the use of an adjustable fulerum for said lever renders it possible to dispense with Weighting it, although I deem it preferable to Weight the lever and provide it with an adjustable fulcrum.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a liquid valve-seat, a cupyalve therein, and a counterbalancing Weighted lever connected to said cup-valve, the fulcrum of said lever being adjustable late 1ally, substantially as described.

2. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve therein, and a counterbalancing weighted lever connected to said cup-valve, the fulcrum of said lever being adjustable vertically, substantially as described.

3. In a gas-regulator, the combination ofa liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve therein, and a counterbalancing weighted lever connected to said cup-valve, the fulcrum of said lever being adjustable laterally and vertically, substantially as described.

4. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve therein, a countel-balancing Weighted lever connected to said cup-valve, a vertically-movable gas-holder in a liquid seat, and a rod connecting` said gasholder to the counterbalancing-arm of said lever, substantially as described.

5. In a gasregulator, the combination of a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve therein, a counterbalaneing weighted lever connected to said cup-valve, a vertically-movable gas-holder in a liquid seat, and a rod connecting said gasholder to the counterbalancingarm of said lever, the fulcrum of said lever being adjustable laterally, substantially as described.

G. In a gasregulator, the combination of a liquid valve-scat, a cup-valve therein, acounterbalancing Weighted lever connected to said cupvalve,avertically-movable gas-holder in a liquid seat, and arod connecting said gasholder to the countcrbalancing-arm of said lever, the fulcrum of said lever being adjustable laterally and vertically, substantially as described.

7. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valve-scat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, and a counterbalancing weighted lever connected to said valve, said Valvescat, valve, and lever being disposed Within said body, substantially as described.

8. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valvc-seat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, a counterbalancing Weighted lever connected to said valve, and a fulcrum for said lever, said fulcrum being adj ustable laterally, and said valve-seat, valve, lever, and fulcrum disposed Within said body, substantially as described.

9. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, a countcrbalancing Weighted lever connected to said valve, and a fulcrum for said lever, said fulcrum being adjustable vertically, and said valve-seat, valve, lever, and fulcrum disposed Within said body, substantially as described.

l0. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valveseat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, a eounterbalancing Weight-ed lever connected to said valve, and a fulcrum for said lever, said fulcrum being adjustable laterally and vertically, and said valve-seat, valve, lever, and fulcrum disposed within said body, substantially as described.

1l. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, a counterbalancing Weighted lever connected to said valve, a fulcrum for said lever, a vertically-movable gas holder in a liquid seat, and a rod connecting said gas-holder to the counterbalancing-arm of said lever, said valve-seat, valve, lever, fulcrum, and gasholder being disposed Within said body, substantially as described.

12. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valve-seat, a cup-valve adapted to be seated therein, a eounterbalancing weighted lever connected to said valve, a fulerum for said lever, a vertically-movable gasholder in a liquid seat, and a rod connecting said gas-holder tothe counterbalancing-arm of said lever, said fulcrum being adjustable laterally, and said valve-scat, valve, lever, fulcrum, and gas-holder disposed within said body, substantially as described.

13. In a gas-regulator, the combination of a body, a liquid valve-scat, acup-valvc adapted to be seated` therein, a counterbalancing Weighted lever connected to said valve, a fulcrum for said lever, a vertically-movable gasholder in a liquid scat, and a rod connecting` said gas-holder to the counterbalaneing-arm ot' said lever, said fulcruni being adjustable laterally and vertically, and said valve-seat, valve, lever, fulcrum, and gasholder disposed Within said body, substantially as described.

In testimony WhereofI have signed my name to this specification, in the presence oftwo subscribing` Witnesses, on this 5th day of March, A.

' WILLIAM C. ROSSNEY. Witnesses:

W'M. I-I. HUNT, Gno. WHELDEN. 

